Footage on Syrian state television has shown a convoy of government forces entering the Kurdish-held region of Afrin on Tuesday.
A convoy of fighters waving Syrian flags reportedly entered the northern Kurdish-held region which Turkey is targeting in a cross-border operation.
The Syrian Arab News Agency said that the pro- government forces arrived in Afrin area to support the locals against the aggression waged by the Turkish regime on the city since January 20, and to confront ISIS terrorists.
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RT reports: The pro-government fighters were filmed entering the village of Nubul in some 20 pickup trucks. An RT source on the ground has confirmed the movement of troops to Afrin.
A reporter at the scene for Syrian state agency SANA said that the area where the fighters arrived has already been targeted by an attack from the Turkish side.
Turkish media later reported that an artillery attack on the convoy forced it to retreat.
The deployment comes after a reported deal between Damascus and Kurdish authorities, which sought the involvement of the central government amid a continued fight against Turkey and the militias supported by Ankara.
The moment when #Syrian militias entered #Afrin while ago. pic.twitter.com/N3GFv0mhld
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) February 20, 2018
Turkish officials earlier warned that their forces would lay siege to the city of Afrin if pro-Damascus fighters show up there.
